Annual awards given in five categories 

Six College of Arts and Sciences faculty members were honored with awards for excellence in the areas of teaching, scholarship, advising, faculty mentoring and service.

The 2026 winners were nominated by their peers for these awards, which are presented annually. Dean Caleb Everett surprised each winner with the news of their award during a visit to their classroom.

Jocelyn Alcantara-Garcia, associate professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Art Conservation and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, received the Outstanding Scholarship Award. Alcantara-Garcia is a globally recognized researcher who focuses on the  intersection of art conservation, art, chemistry, history and material science. She was referred to as the “epitome of an interdisciplinary scholar” in her nomination letter. Alcantara-Garcia has served as the co-investigator on successful National Science Foundation major research instrumentation proposals, and has been a leading advocate for integration of advanced instrumentation in interdisciplinary research. 

Asia Friedman and John Jebb each received the Outstanding Service Award. Friedman is a professor and associate chair in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice with a joint appointment in Women and Gender Studies. Friedman was lauded for her contributions at the department, college and university levels. She has served as associate chair for five years, on the CAS promotion and tenure committee, and as a member of both the college and University Faculty Senate. Friedman also dedicates time to her discipline as co-editor of the Sociological Forum journal, and she was recently elected chair of a leadership section of the American Sociological Association. 

Jebb, associate professor in the Department of English, has made service a priority during his 24 years at UD. Jebb was assistant director of UD’s writing program for nearly 10 years, serving as a member of the Provost’s Council on Pre-Collegiate Programs for two of those years. He has been a member of the University’s Faculty Senate for the last 17 years, making him “a force as a leader in governance and decision making.” Jebb participated on several Senate committees, including calendar committee, faculty welfare and privileges, and student appeals. He has also volunteered in the greater Delaware community, speaking at library events and external organizations.  

Jennifer Lobasz, associate professor in the Department of Women and Gender Studies, received the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award. Lobasz was described as an “invaluable resource on questions of pedagogy,” and as the person to whom others in the department bring their questions because “her answers are thoughtful and grounded in real experience.” In addition to her colleagues, Lobasz also mentors graduate students and teaching assistants, helping them develop as teachers, scholars and professionals. “She is, in the best sense of the word, a natural mentor who does not wait to be asked but simply shows up, offers what she knows and makes others better for it.”

Veronique Petit, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, received the Outstanding Teaching award. In her nomination letter, Petit was described as an “excellent teacher who demonstrates that a highly active research scientist can also be an excellent educator and mentor. She was praised for modernizing her courses by including research-tested pedagogical methods while maintaining very positive student evaluations, which can be difficult to achieve. One student described her as “the most engaging professor I’ve had -- consistently going above and beyond to make physics accessible, exciting and inclusive.”  A faculty peer said “I believe Vero embodies the highest ideals of university teaching: scientific curiosity, innovation in pedagogical practice, constructive leadership and strong advocacy for her students.” 

Délice Williams, associate professor in the Department of English, received the Outstanding Advisement award. Williams also serves as the department’s associate chair and director of undergraduate studies. Her nomination letter describes faculty and student letters of support highlighting Williams’ deep commitment to student success and her transformative impact on advising in the department. She has enhanced the basic infrastructure and resources for advising and implemented an innovative interview-based approach that she calls “exploratory advising” for students in the first two years of the program. She developed guidelines for advisors to get to know each student and their contexts and interests to help them shape personalized goals for a “meaningful undergraduate experience,” rather than simply fulfilling course requirements. Williams also created a variety of resources to support professional development, including internship opportunities that she has cultivated, and a job shadowing program that pairs current students with alumni at their workplaces. Williams has also partnered with the student advising team in the Department of Athletics, developing workshops for incoming football players to help them build their academic focus.